Question:
Some people who get a facelift have that really tight, wind-blown look. I’d be interested in getting a facelift but I really want to avoid that obvious of a result. How do you keep this from happening and how do you ensure a more natural appearance?
Answer:
The reason that some people get that wind-blown look after a facelift is because the surgeon has relied on skin tension to get the result instead of performing the lift on the deeper layer of the face known as the SMAS (submuscular aponeurotic system). When the lift is done properly the SMAS is lifted from the underlying tissue and elevated. This is the layer that is responsible for facial aging to begin with and so it makes sense that this layer is elevated to get the result. When this is done the overlying skin will move with it and some skin is excised. The skin should be under no tension however. When a surgeon puts tension on the skin, not only does the patient get a wind-swept appearance, but also widened scars. The scars from a facelift should be barely visible to invisible every time. It pains me to see patients come in with facelifts by other surgeons and see widened scars or hair that has been shifted into unnatural positions that are very difficult to correct. A facelift should provide a significant, but natural result and one that no one can tell you have had surgery. The patient should be able to wear their hair in any style, including a pony-tail without visible scarring. Please look at our before and after photos of our facelifts to convince yourself.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
